This story takes place in the late 1980's in Burnside and Wickburg, MA.
Point of View:
This story is told from third person point-of-view that shifts between the three main characters: Jane, Buddy, and The Avenger. There are no chapter breaks, so until you get into the story, it can be difficult to read.
Plot:
On April Fool's Day, the Jerome house is trashed by four young vandals, leaving the house in shambels and Karen Jerome in a coma. The only witness, the Avenger, plots his revenge while Karen's older sister Jane tries to cope with the aftermath. The story weaves between Jane, the Avenger, and Buddy Walker, one of the trashers, until their three stories come together in a surprising way. You'll love the action, the emotion, and the real-life issues you'll find in We All Fall Down.
Characters:
Jane Jerome
(protagonist)
Her house was trashed, her sister put in a coma. This leaves Jane feeling more alone and isolated than she's ever felt. She no longer feels close to her friends and family, but she finally does meet someone she can feel close to - a boyfriend when she's least looking for one.
Buddy Walker
(protagonist)
His parents' divorce and unhappiness at home have led Buddy to make two unhealthy choices - become friends with Harry Flowers and turn to alcohol for comfort. Haunted by guilt over the trashing of the Jerome house and missing his father, Buddy spirals downward, unable to forget about that night or dig himself out of the hole he's dug.
The Avenger
(antagonist)
The only witness to the trashing, the Avenger plots his revenge on the four teens. However, his growing frustration at not being able to find them and his memories of earlier vengance start taking a toll on him. Will he ever be able to make them pay for the horror they inflicted on the family he loves?
Harry Flowers
(antagonist)
Son of a prominent architect, Harry appears to be a wholesome kid: blond, handsome, meticulous, a real leader. But underneath the exterior, Harry is not a nice guy. He knows how to manipulate every situation to his advantage.
Addy Walker
(minor)
Buddy's younger sister annoys him, partly because she's the only one who notices how the alcohol has taken a hold on him. Feeling lonely hereself, she constantly tries to reach out to her older brother who doesn't know how to reach back.
Karen Jerome
(minor)
14 year-old Karen Is Jane's younger, more popular sister. She came home unexpectedly the night of the trashing and is in a coma in a local hospital.
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome
(minor)
A stable influence, they want their daughter to get better and to help all their children cope with what's happened.
Mr. Walker
(minor)
When Buddy's father leave for another woman, he doesn't try very hard to keep up a relationship with his children. There are signs that he, too, might have drinking problems.
Vaughn Masterson
(minor)
A school bully, he chose the wrong person to pick on. The Avenger doesn't like bullies, and the Avenger stands up for his beliefs.
Conflicts:
While there are many conflicts that drive the action, the major conflicts are the internal ones the main characters face. The Avenger struggles with how to control the frustration, anger, guilt and helplessness he feels at being unable to find the trashers. Buddy is overcome by guilt and his growing alchoholism. Jane becomes more and more isolated and lonely as she turns away from both her friends and her family. None of these conflicts are totally resolved by the end of the novel.
Themes:
Every person who reads this novel can take a different message from it. I think the most important theme is "Alcohol is a dangerous drug." Everything the characters go through goes back to what happened that one night that four teenagers drank too much and destroyed a family's lives.
Click here to read an Interview with the author
Setting:
This story takes place in the late 1980's in Burnside and Wickburg, MA.Point of View:
This story is told from third person point-of-view that shifts between the three main characters: Jane, Buddy, and The Avenger. There are no chapter breaks, so until you get into the story, it can be difficult to read.
Plot:
On April Fool's Day, the Jerome house is trashed by four young vandals, leaving the house in shambels and Karen Jerome in a coma. The only witness, the Avenger, plots his revenge while Karen's older sister Jane tries to cope with the aftermath. The story weaves between Jane, the Avenger, and Buddy Walker, one of the trashers, until their three stories come together in a surprising way. You'll love the action, the emotion, and the real-life issues you'll find in We All Fall Down.Characters:
(protagonist)
(protagonist)
(antagonist)
(antagonist)
(minor)
(minor)
(minor)
(minor)
(minor)
Conflicts:
While there are many conflicts that drive the action, the major conflicts are the internal ones the main characters face. The Avenger struggles with how to control the frustration, anger, guilt and helplessness he feels at being unable to find the trashers. Buddy is overcome by guilt and his growing alchoholism. Jane becomes more and more isolated and lonely as she turns away from both her friends and her family. None of these conflicts are totally resolved by the end of the novel.Themes:
Every person who reads this novel can take a different message from it. I think the most important theme is "Alcohol is a dangerous drug." Everything the characters go through goes back to what happened that one night that four teenagers drank too much and destroyed a family's lives.Need Help?
Alanon/Alateeen Website - offers support to those who are affected by friends or family members who drinkFocus Adolescent Services - gives some statistics about teen drinking along with links to find help
A Message to Teenagers from A.A. - some questions to answer that can help you decide if you are an alcoholic